Canon 80D Review

This is an in-depth review of the Canon 80D, a midrange DSLR released in 2016 and intended for photographers who want a more advanced camera than an entry-level Canon Rebel. We have been testing the Canon 80D extensively over the past couple months, and the takeaway is clear: It is a very solid camera, even in 2018. On top of that, the 80D also represents a good value on today’s market at $1000 new, which is less than other cameras targeting the same audience. This also makes it a great backup option for advanced photographers who use Canon cameras. However, the 80D still has some important issues to note as well, as you will see in this review.

Overview and Specifications

The Canon 80D sits near the top of a large number of entry-level DSLRs that Canon makes. It has a 1.6x aps-c crop sensor, the same size as that found on Canon Rebel cameras and Canon’s more advanced 7D series.

The 80D is the successor to the Canon 70D, adding a newer sensor and more advanced autofocus capabilities. Specifically, the 80D has a 24 megapixel sensor with improved ISO performance, while the 70D had an older 20 megapixel sensor. The 80D also has a 45-point autofocus system, all of which are cross-type, rather than 19 points (also all cross-type) on the 70D – a significant improvement for photographers who need a wider autofocus coverage and a better ability to track subjects. The Canon 80D also competes closely with the Nikon D7200 and D7500 DSLRs, which sit at similar prices ($1000 and $1250 respectively, although the D7500 in particular frequently goes on sale for $1150).

If you want a well-priced Canon camera with significant manual controls – two mode dials, custom settings banks, and a pro-level button layout – this could be the camera for you. However, some of its numbers are lower than what you’ll find in other options on the market today. Here are some of the 80D’s key specifications:

Camera Feature

Canon 80D

Sensor Resolution

24 megapixels

Sensor Type

CMOS

Sensor Size

22.5 × 15mm

Sensor Pixel Size

3.7µ

Low Pass Filter

Yes

Sensor Dust Reduction

Yes

Image Size

6000 x 4000 pixels

Image Processor

DIGIC 6

Viewfinder Type

Pentaprism

Viewfinder Coverage

100%

Viewfinder Magnification

0.95×

Built-in Flash

Yes, with flash commander mode

Storage Media

1x SD

Continuous Shooting Speed

7 FPS

Buffer Size (RAW)

25

Max Shutter Speed

1/8000 to 30 sec

Shutter Durability

100,000 cycles

Exposure Metering Sensor

7560-pixel RGB+IR

Base ISO

ISO 100

Native ISO Sensitivity

ISO 100-6400

Boosted ISO Sensitivity

Up to ISO 25,600

Focus Points

45-point, all cross-type

On Sensor Phase Detection

Yes

Flicker Detection

Yes

Video Maximum Resolution

1920 × 1080 up to 60 fps

LCD Size

3″ diagonal LCD

LCD Resolution

1,040,000 dots

Tilting LCD

Yes

Touchscreen LCD

Yes

Built-in GPS

No

Built-in Bluetooth

No

Built-in Wi-Fi / NFC

Yes

Battery

LP-E6N Lithium-Ion Battery

Battery Life

960 shots (CIPA)

Weather Sealed Body

Yes

USB Version

2.0 Micro-B

Weight (Body Only)

730g

Dimensions

139 × 105.2 × 78.5mm

Price

$999

These specifications might look a little on the low side for 2018, but they combine to form a camera that remains versatile even on today’s tech-heavy market. The 7 frames per second is still highly respectable for a DSLR, and features like Dual Pixel autofocus borrow some of mirrorless cameras’ best traits. The battery life on the Canon 80D is also excellent at 960 photos per charge.

However, I also get the sense that Canon is holding out some of their technology for the 80D’s successor, like built-in bluetooth and 4K video. The 80D also has only a single memory card slot, which is something that will turn away a certain segment of photographers (namely people who shoot weddings or similar once-in-a-lifetime events, where a single slot might not provide enough peace of mind).

Nonetheless, the 80D does what it needs to do, and some photographers surely will praise Canon’s avoidance of the “technology trap,” where they throw all their new features at a camera to see what sticks, at the risk of complicating the menu or control layout.

On the next pages of this review, we will dive into more details on the Canon 80D, including build quality, autofocus performance, and image quality. Click below to jump to the section that interests you:

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About Spencer Cox

Spencer Cox is a landscape and nature photographer who has gained international recognition and awards for his photography. He has been displayed in galleries worldwide, including the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History and exhibitions in London, Malta, Siena, and Beijing. To view more of his work, visit his website or follow him on Facebook and 500px. Read more about Spencer here.

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